It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times 
The above is taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens in 1859. Here we are in the twenty-first century and it is still true. While we have a better standard of living than any time in the past. We also have more uncertainty.
“Opportunity? often it comes in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.” Napoleon Hill
The World Economic Form states that Robots and A.I. will create 60 million more jobs than they replace. But is almost certain that the workers who will benefit from this, will not be the ones that have lost their jobs. They simply won’t have the skills, training or ability take on the new positions. While this is utter devastation for some people it is a new opportunity for others.
Bruegel reports that 54% of EU jobs are at risk of computerisation and people need to prepare for large-scale disruption. Oxford University found that 47% of U.S. workers have a high probability of their jobs being automated in the not too distant future. The Brooking Institution stated that 25% of jobs in the United States are already at high levels of devastation. That is approximately 36,000,000 jobs.
“Spend eighty percent of your time focusing on the opportunities of tomorrow rather than the problems of yesterday.” Brian Tracy
The problem with technological predictions is that you can never tell which ones will hit us quickly and which ones will never come to pass. Back in the 1970’s, they talked about paperless offices. Librarians thought most books would be digitized within the next 15 to 20 years. Obviously, these predictions haven’t come to pass.
Dick Tracy, the American comic strip debuted in October of 1931. Tracy had a wristwatch radio to communicate. Total science fiction. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980’s most people could not imagine cell phones. The first cell phone came out in 1983, a $4000 brick-like device with a total talk time of 30 minutes. Who would have imagined how big a part they would play in our day to day lives, we can literally not live without them? Within a period of less than 40 years most payphones are out of existence and many children today might never experience a land line.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein
Could a machine do your job? https://www.cnbc.com
Technology is not the only disruptive factor affecting many lives. In the last 2 years over 10,000 stores closed in the United States and with another 20% to 25% closing in the future. Not to long ago we saw A Tony Roma’s and Montana’s disappear simply because the landlord wanted too much money. We are going to see more bewildering disappearances. One day a business is there and the next day it is gone.
So, What Is The Answer?
The strangest fact is that some of the very same technology that is taking jobs away provides the greatest opportunities for those losing their jobs if they only knew how to use it. In the past, people might have gotten a second job while others may have had a small business on the side. Today with the right training and a bit of persistence that small sideline business could literally change your life. For a growing number of people, an Online Business provides opportunity, freedom and security they never knew before.
How can I say that, when so many people are failing online? That is true but why? There have been too many false promises of push-button wealth, simply buy a piece of software or take a $39 course and you are all set. That is the problem. Unfortunately, there have been a number of unscrupulous marketers pedaling anything that would make them a buck. The internet is the new gold rush. And just like all the gold rushes in the past a number of people are getting rich. But also, like in the past the uninformed and unprepared are failing. The question is why?
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein
Anything worth doing takes time, dedication and effort, but most of all the right training. Let’s say you wanted to learn how to type. It looks really easy but if you don’t position your hands on the correct keys you are bound to fail. A good teacher can save you a ton of grief. Now imagine trying to learn how to play a musical instrument on your own. Let’s say it’s the violin, knowing the proper technique and getting proper instruction can mean the difference between an ear-piercing screech with shivers going up your spine or a delightful sound that you want to hear more of.
“Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.” H. Jackson Brown JR.
And like everything else, there are good practitioners and poor practitioners. Not all doctors were ‘A’ students, someone had to finish last in their class. Some of us are great employees while others just show up.
All decent instructors want to see their students succeed. After all that is where they derive their most pleasure. Being a teacher myself, seeing the ah haw moment when a student all of a sudden understands a concept or masters a problem is delightful and a high that teachers yearn for.
“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” Oprah Winfrey
I know a number of great internet marketers and online service providers that are truly concerned about their students. This new breed of instructors has a much higher success rate with their students. They are doing as much as possible to make sure their students succeed. Some are actually becoming partners with their students giving them an excellent array of products to sell, making entry into the business much easier.
But remember it is just like taking music lessons. It is the students that actually practice every day that get the most out of their lessons. Half an hour every day is way better than trying to do 4 hours of practice once a week. And like playing an instrument you will at times reach plateaus or struggle with a particular piece of technology. But unlike the past, today there is much more support and don’t forget Google and YouTube. They can be of great help. Seek the answer and you will find it.
“The more you seek security, the less of it you have. But the more you seek opportunity, the more likely it is that you will achieve the security that you desire.” Brian Tracy
We would never expect our children to go from beginner to playing Mozart or Brahms after 6 months, so why do we expect to master all the skills necessary to make a good living online in a matter of weeks? Again, the more consistent effort we put into any skill the more we are going to get out of it.
Most professions today require their practitioners to constantly upgrade their skills. Doctors, dentists, teachers, engineers, etc. are all required to update their training yearly. This necessitates that most professionals be lifelong learners.
Learning can bring you a lot of joy. I think one of the biggest problems with people starting a business online is that they focus on the money rather than focusing on the process of learning new skills weekly and or solving current problems. Real entrepreneurs are problem solvers. They take great pride in their fortitude and problem-solving abilities.
“The trouble with opportunity is that it always comes disguised as hard work.” Anonymous
One of the most important factors in success or failure is a mental attitude. Read biographies of virtually every accomplished person and you will see a person overcoming great personal and business obstacles. Both Ford and Disney went bankrupt 5 times. They are not known for their failures, but for their ultimate accomplishments. Almost every accomplished entrepreneur focuses as much on their state of mind and developing mental strength as they do on their businesses.
Making a living online is real and possible for everyone. You must be determined and focused on a single process. Step by step you will overcome every obstacle. Then one day you will make your first sale and your entire view of the possibilities will change. Promote quality, and make every deal a win, win proposition and you will be well on your way.
Another interesting factor affecting the success of a business is whether is it a full-time business or a part-time. Part-time businesses have a much higher degree of success. Often what was originally a side hustle becomes so profitable it dwarfs the full-time income of its owner.
“You contain within yourself a unique combination of talents and abilities which, properly identified and applied, will enable you to achieve virtually any goal you can set for yourself.” Brian Tracy
Graysen & Diana
This is a guest post from Graysen & Diana, if you would like to be considered for a guest post please contact me.
